Which ultra processed foods are deadliest?

[SwampNut]

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/which-ultra-processed-foods-are-the-worst-in-driving-the-association-with-death-and-disease

 

 

 

TL;DR:  Pizza, deli meats, burgers, candy, soda, and chicken

[DaveK]

Every doctor I have encountered since my heart attack regardless of their specialty, I have asked the same questions.  What is the worst thing that's on the shelf we can buy that people put into their bodies. 

 

A few of them said it's better to smoke cigarettes than to consume these.... 

 

Edited Monday at 04:32 PM by DaveK

[SwampNut]

That would be full retard.  It's a soda with extra death.

 

[DaveK]

46 minutes ago, SwampNut said:

That would be full retard.  It's a soda with extra death.

 

 

The ironic part is one is called >>>>

 

[SwampNut]

Very familiar with it, took me some time and lots of evidence to get a relative to kick the addiction.

 

[blackhawkxx]

3 hours ago, DaveK said:

A few of them said it's better to smoke cigarettes than to consume these...

I worked with a guy, that drank those all day and smoked on his breaks which was a shame as he was a super worker and a great guy.  Last I heard was he had testicular cancer which may had nothing to do with his habits but I'm sure he couldn't keep doing that stuff and live.

Edit:  Any thoughts on the little bottle of five hour energy?  Check out the ingredients, it has vitamins, etc.  I keep a bottle around for when I really need it.  Maybe two or three bottles a year.

Edited Monday at 08:16 PM by blackhawkxx

[DaveK]

43 minutes ago, blackhawkxx said:

Maybe two or three bottles a year.

 

2 or 3 a year I'm sure doesn't have any long term affects.  

 

Short answer: it can be—especially if you use it a lot or stack it with other caffeine.

Here’s the clear breakdown 👇

What’s in 5-Hour Energy

• Caffeine (about 200 mg in the extra-strength; ~1 strong cup of coffee)

• B vitamins (very high doses)

• Amino acids (taurine, tyrosine)

• No sugar (that’s a plus compared to some energy drinks)

When it’s not a big deal

• 👍 Used occasionally

• 👍 You’re otherwise healthy

• 👍 You’re not combining it with coffee, pre-workout, or other energy drinks

For most people, one once in a while is fine.

When it can be bad for your body

• ⚠️ Too much caffeine → jitters, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, high BP

• ⚠️ Sleep disruption, even if taken earlier in the day

• ⚠️ Stomach irritation or nausea

• ⚠️ Very high B-vitamin doses (not usually dangerous short-term, but unnecessary and not great long-term)

• ⚠️ Riskier if you have heart issues, anxiety, or are sensitive to caffeine

Big red flags 🚩

• Taking multiple per day

• Using it daily to function

• Mixing with alcohol or other stimulants

• Feeling crashes, palpitations, or anxiety afterward

Bottom line

• Occasional use: generally okay

• Daily or multiple per day: not great for your body long-term

• If you need it every day → that’s usually a sleep, stress, or workload problem, not an energy problem

If you want, tell me:

• how often you’re using it

• what you’re using it for (workdays, driving, workouts, late nights)

I can suggest a less harsh alternative that actually fits your routine.

[SwampNut]

3 hours ago, blackhawkxx said:

Check out the ingredients, it has vitamins, etc. 

 

LOL, I immediately thought of "BRAWNDO!  It's got electrolytes!"

 

 

 

 

Adding vitamins to arsenic wouldn't make it safe, but a few of these a year isn't doing anything bad.  It's the habitual users who are fucked.

 

I once drank 11 Red Bulls in a row at a bike meetup.  They were free.  I think I'm fine, though the neon lights had halos and I saw a UFO on the ride home.

 

[Nova Scotia Mike]

Man, I have such a weakness for take-out garbage pizza. We get it near every Friday, don't want to think about how many years of life it's taken off our lives. Have to start making healthier pies at home occasionally.

 

About a year ago Health Canada food warning labels started showing on the front of the packages on the bad-for-you foods. I definitely notice them and they make me think more about what I'm shoving I'm my gullet. Is there such a thing in other countries?

 

Food Nutrition Labelling front package

[DaveK]

9 minutes ago, Nova Scotia Mike said:

Man, I have such a weakness for take-out garbage pizza. We get it near every Friday, don't want to think about how many years of life it's taken off our lives. Have to start making healthier pies at home occasionally.

 

About a year ago Health Canada food warning labels started showing on the front of the packages on the bad-for-you foods. I definitely notice them and they make me think more about what I'm shoving I'm my gullet. Is there such a thing in other countries?

 

Food Nutrition Labelling front package

 

Mike...I mean, depending on whether you eat 2-3 slices, what's on top of it, and or a whole loaded pie....weekly, it's not terrible.  Cheese, sauce, and bread.  Is it a salad, no....but in the grand scheme of things I really don't think 3 slices of pizza 1 time per week is taking years off your life.  Now... back it up with alcohol, chips, wings, and soda, sure....that's pretty bad. 

[SwampNut]

Agree with Dave mostly, but...  The effects of nitrate-laden ultra-processed meats like salami/pepperoni and the like are pretty deep and long lasting.  Small quantities have a lasting impact on your body.

 

Here's an idea for you.  Our pizza treats are made from a Jewish or mediterranean lavash, matzo, or similar low-processed bread base.  There are a ton of options that are fun and tasty if you leave the Wonder Bread section of the store.  Make up a sauce, red, white, whatever, with less-shitty ingredients than what Dominos is using.  It's easy to do, think of the flavors and seasonings you'd like.  While I try to minimize the use of oils, just some olive oil, pressed garlic, and thyme makes an amazing coating for the crust.  Then we add low-processed vegan cheeses, and veggies.  Tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, etc.

 

This will sound crazy, but everyone loves it when I do it.  Marinated arugula topping.  Seriously.  Marinate some arugula in balsamic or red wine vinegar for half an hour.  It kills the bitterness and you end up with a nice green/earthy flavor, plus balsamic on a pizza is amazing.

 

Edit to add:  Don't overlook nuts as a topping.  Crazy, I know.  Walnuts/pecans with the balsamic are a great marriage.  Pine nuts on a more traditional pie.  This is "free" nutrition packed with good stuff, and a great texture adder.

 

[DaveK]

7 minutes ago, SwampNut said:

Agree with Dave mostly, but...  The effects of nitrate-laden ultra-processed meats like salami/pepperoni and the like are pretty deep and long lasting.  Small quantities have a lasting impact on your body.

 

Here's an idea for you.  Our pizza treats are made from a Jewish or mediterranean lavash, matzo, or similar low-processed bread base.  There are a ton of options that are fun and tasty if you leave the Wonder Bread section of the store.  Make up a sauce, red, white, whatever, with less-shitty ingredients than what Dominos is using.  It's easy to do, think of the flavors and seasonings you'd like.  While I try to minimize the use of oils, just some olive oil, pressed garlic, and thyme makes an amazing coating for the crust.  Then we add low-processed vegan cheeses, and veggies.  Tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, etc.

 

This will sound crazy, but everyone loves it when I do it.  Marinated arugula topping.  Seriously.  Marinate some arugula in balsamic or red wine vinegar for half an hour.  It kills the bitterness and you end up with a nice green/earthy flavor, plus balsamic on a pizza is amazing.

 

Edit to add:  Don't overlook nuts as a topping.  Crazy, I know.  Walnuts/pecans with the balsamic are a great marriage.  Pine nuts on a more traditional pie.  This is "free" nutrition packed with good stuff, and a great texture adder.

 

 

Written by someone who just described how NOT to make a pizza.  (just breaking your balls) 

 

Personally my favorite is what you see below.  Brick oven, fresh made sauce that isn't just salt and processed tom paste....very little FRESH motz...and fresh bread.

 

What you see below and how it's made and what's in it...I can eat a whole one 1 time per week.  Too much bread...yep.

 

[SwampNut]

1 hour ago, DaveK said:

Written by someone who just described how NOT to make a pizza.  (just breaking your balls) 

 

LOL, also that was expected.

 

[poida]

3 hours ago, Nova Scotia Mike said:

Man, I have such a weakness for take-out garbage pizza. We get it near every Friday, don't want to think about how many years of life it's taken off our lives. Have to start making healthier pies at home occasionally.

 

About a year ago Health Canada food warning labels started showing on the front of the packages on the bad-for-you foods. I definitely notice them and they make me think more about what I'm shoving I'm my gullet. Is there such a thing in other countries?

 

Food Nutrition Labelling front package

here in aus and new zealand we have health star rating

https://www.healthstarrating.gov.au/

[SwampNut]

Here in the US, we let the beef and dairy industry tell us how their products are good for us, despite both being correlated to the highest mortality and highest disease rates.  We've actually made it illegal for people to show video of beef processing plants, and for companies to provide labeling showing that their product doesn't have these harmful ingredients.

 

Follow the money.

 

Also, we can't have socialized medicine *and* tell people to eat garbage.  Until now I hadn't thought of that; where you get government health benefits, you have government advising you to eat healthy.  Whoa.

 

[DaveK]

1 hour ago, SwampNut said:

 

LOL, also that was expected.

 

 

The only nuts I'd accept on a pizza are your personal nuts. 

[SwampNut]

I always use Deez nutz.

 

But seriously, every person who's tried the balsamic-pecan things loves it.  Obviously, not a traditional/real pizza.

[DaveK]

32 minutes ago, SwampNut said:

Here in the US, we let.....

 

....him tell us what is healthy.  He's the beacon of how to stay alive.

 

[DaveK]

Just now, SwampNut said:

I always use Deez nutz.

 

But seriously, every person who's tried the balsamic-pecan things loves it.  Obviously, not a traditional/real pizza.

 

When I am feeling a bit gay...I also love arugula, pear, goat cheese, walnut, and mikes hot honey pizza !!!!

[blackhawkxx]

6 hours ago, Nova Scotia Mike said:

Man, I have such a weakness for take-out garbage pizza.

Every time I start to think about getting that stuff, I'll pull up nutritional/calorie listings on places like Pizza Hut or other major makers.  It is just shocking the amount of calories, fat and sodium in just two pieces.  There is just no way I'm going to do that for just one meal.

I do make a very small one using oats for the crust at home with the only kind of bad thing is turkey pepperoni but it is very little amount. Ground turkey can be used in it's place.

[SwampNut]

17 hours ago, blackhawkxx said:

oats for the crust

 

Huh, new thing to try.

 

[blackhawkxx]

3 hours ago, SwampNut said:

 

Huh, new thing to try.

 

Added egg holds it together and after forming it on the pan, throw it in the oven to firm it up before adding anything else.

[Nova Scotia Mike]

On 2/4/2026 at 11:14 AM, DaveK said:

 

Mike...I mean, depending on whether you eat 2-3 slices, what's on top of it, and or a whole loaded pie....weekly, it's not terrible.  Cheese, sauce, and bread.  Is it a salad, no....but in the grand scheme of things I really don't think 3 slices of pizza 1 time per week is taking years off your life.  Now... back it up with alcohol, chips, wings, and soda, sure....that's pretty bad. 

 

True enough. We usually buy too much and thus I regularly have a cold slice for breakfast on Saturday too. We never drink pop. Wings maybe 1-2 times a year. We were doing good on chips but they are creeping back into our cupboards on the regular lately (have some Buffalo flavoured ones now, damn you Costco!). Only eat them on weekends though. Overall I think what constitutes our diet is generally pretty good. Our portion sizes are not, plates are too full. Trying to work on that now. That margherita looking pizza you posted looks awesome, made my tummy grumble.  

 

On 2/4/2026 at 12:13 PM, SwampNut said:

Agree with Dave mostly, but...  The effects of nitrate-laden ultra-processed meats like salami/pepperoni and the like are pretty deep and long lasting.  Small quantities have a lasting impact on your body.

 

Here's an idea for you.  Our pizza treats are made from a Jewish or mediterranean lavash, matzo, or similar low-processed bread base.  There are a ton of options that are fun and tasty if you leave the Wonder Bread section of the store.  Make up a sauce, red, white, whatever, with less-shitty ingredients than what Dominos is using.  It's easy to do, think of the flavors and seasonings you'd like.  While I try to minimize the use of oils, just some olive oil, pressed garlic, and thyme makes an amazing coating for the crust.  Then we add low-processed vegan cheeses, and veggies.  Tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, etc.

 

This will sound crazy, but everyone loves it when I do it.  Marinated arugula topping.  Seriously.  Marinate some arugula in balsamic or red wine vinegar for half an hour.  It kills the bitterness and you end up with a nice green/earthy flavor, plus balsamic on a pizza is amazing.

 

Edit to add:  Don't overlook nuts as a topping.  Crazy, I know.  Walnuts/pecans with the balsamic are a great marriage.  Pine nuts on a more traditional pie.  This is "free" nutrition packed with good stuff, and a great texture adder.

 

 

Definitely going to move towards making healthier pizza pie at home sometimes instead of take out all the time. Your suggestions sounds great, will try them at some point. Thanks

 

On 2/4/2026 at 2:31 PM, poida said:

here in aus and new zealand we have health star rating

https://www.healthstarrating.gov.au/

 

Cool, glad we are not the only ones. heh. I like your star ratings, shows you when something is good for you too. Ours are just warnings about the bad stuff. 

 

On 2/4/2026 at 2:43 PM, SwampNut said:

Also, we can't have socialized medicine *and* tell people to eat garbage.  Until now I hadn't thought of that; where you get government health benefits, you have government advising you to eat healthy.  Whoa.

 

 

About a decade ago they tore down two big high schools in the city center that were a block away from each other (one was Catholic, the other Protestant) and made one big super school, Citadel High. This new super school is across the street from the largest hospital in the city. The new high school was built with all these modern (at the time) features and approaches. They noticed early on that the school cafeteria was not doing so well. It was stocked with lots of healthy foods/snacks. It turned out that all the kids were leaving the school and going across the street to the cafeteria in the hospital because it sold French fries, chips, chocolate bars, etc., junk food. That made the news and I think the hospital got guilted into switching to healthier food options too.  

 

On 2/4/2026 at 5:51 PM, blackhawkxx said:

Every time I start to think about getting that stuff, I'll pull up nutritional/calorie listings on places like Pizza Hut or other major makers.  It is just shocking the amount of calories, fat and sodium in just two pieces.  There is just no way I'm going to do that for just one meal.

I do make a very small one using oats for the crust at home with the only kind of bad thing is turkey pepperoni but it is very little amount. Ground turkey can be used in it's place.

 

Family of ostriches here. It might be freezing outside but when it comes to our Friday pizza, our heads are definitely in the sand. 

 

Your home-brew pizza sounds quite healthy. Never heard of oats for crust. We do get "turkey pipettes" sometimes for a snack. I'm sure they are full of shit killing us but it's a rare treat.

Edited yesterday at 02:04 PM by Nova Scotia Mike

[SwampNut]

1 hour ago, Nova Scotia Mike said:

That made the news and I think the hospital got guilted into switching to healthier food options too.  

 

It's amusing and sad that hospital food is nearly all garbage, nutritionally.

 

[DaveK]

19 minutes ago, SwampNut said:

 

It's amusing and sad that hospital food is nearly all garbage, nutritionally.

 

 

Add public school food to that sad list too.  Even more so than hospitals.